Today we’d like to introduce you to Araceli Vazquez.
Araceli, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started cooking when I was fifteen, my mom went back to college when I was in high school. I was in charge of making dinner twice a week. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I did my research by reading cookbooks and watching cooking videos. My interest was sparked; I began experimenting and creating my own recipes, even with baking. As I cooked and baked and got better along the way, the necessity turned into a passion. I wanted to share my love with the world, so I posted photos online. It wasn’t long before I was being inundated with people asking for recipes and advice; I felt confident enough to create my website kitchenprodigy.com. It became a sanctuary for me and allowed me to share my creations and passion with the world. About a year later, a friend reached out to ask if they could hire me as a personal chef. I jumped at the opportunity.
Soon after, I had four more clients. Then, I was able to cook at San Diego’s wine festival. I started working as a prep cook in Lou & Mickey’s kitchen in downtown San Diego, which tested my love of cooking and determination to succeed. Restaurant kitchens are chaos. It was so different from everything else I had done before. They are not for the weak, but I would do it again in an instant. I grew so much as a chef and a person in that kitchen. Today, I own and operate Simply Grazed, a table grazing business, hosting pop up dinners all over San Diego. I have been able to take my passion and make it into my career and business, sharing it all with the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I run into many obstacles daily; that’s part of being an entrepreneur, we have to work twice as hard.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I love that food brings people together. I love the fact that I can show up to someone’s home and bring a little of my culture and what I’ve learned to their dinner plates. I definitely feel I incorporate my artistic side when I cook and you can tell when you look at any of my dishes. To me, every dish is a work of art. When I come to someone’s home to cook a meal I don’t only bring food, I bring an entire experience.
What were you like growing up?
I’ve always been extremely passionate. I have a crazy family, they are loud and fun and so I guess you can say I’ve inherited some of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kitchenprodigy.com
- Instagram: @kitchenprodigy
- Other: https://www.thumbtack.com/ca/san-diego/personal-chefs/chef-araceli/service/359251786153492495
Image Credit:
@audreymphotos
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